Reds pound Porto, set up Barca clash

Porto (Portugal), April 18

Liverpool set up a mouth-watering Champions League semifinal clash against Barcelona after their superstar front three all scored in a 4-1 win away at FC Porto that saw them cruise into the last-four 6-1 on aggregate.

On a wet night at the Estadio do Dragao, Liverpool had to weather an early storm before scoring from their first attempt just before the half-hour mark, Sadio Mane prodding home for a goal given after a lengthy VAR review.

Already in control of the tie after a 2-0 win at Anfield in the first leg last week, Liverpool had effectively killed off Porto there and then but Mohamed Salah, substitute Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk added further goals after the break.

Eder Militao scored a consolation for the hosts 21 minutes before the end, but this was another miserable night for them after they lost 5-0 to the same opponents on this ground a year ago.

Liverpool now march on to a clash with Lionel Messi’s Barca, the first meeting of the clubs since a last-16 encounter in 2006/07 that Liverpool won on away goals.

The dream of a Champions League and Premier League double remains alive for Liverpool.

This was their 17th game without defeat and their eighth straight victory, although Barcelona will offer a far tougher test than that provided by Porto. — AFP